Published on: Fri, 16 Nov 2018
The food enzyme is an endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced with a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus oryzae by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This xylanase is intended to be used in baking and cereal‐based processes. Based on the proposed maximum use levels, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–total organic solids (TOS) was e...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The food enzyme maltogenic amylase (glucan 1,4‐a‐maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.133) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM‐OC by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production microorganism and recombinant DNA. This maltogenic amylase is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum use levels recommended, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The scope of application EFSA‐GMO‐DE‐2016‐133 is for food and feed uses, import and processing of genetically modified (GM) maize MZHG0JG in the European Union. Maize MZHG0JG was developed to confer tolerance to the herbicidal active substances glyphosate and glufosinate‐ammonium. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatic analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic and com...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The food enzyme maltogenic amylase (glucan 1,4‐α‐maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.133) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM‐SO by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production microorganism and recombinant DNA. This maltogenic amylase is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum use levels, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–total organi...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The food enzyme acetolactate decarboxylase (α‐acetolactate decarboxylase; EC 4.1.1.5) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain NZYM‐JB by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This acetolactate decarboxylase is intended to be used in distilled alcohol production and brewing processes. Residual amounts of total organi...

Published on: Mon, 12 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100
This joint ECDC‐EFSA report assesses whether vector count data (abundance) and the way these change throughout the year (seasonality) can provide useful information about vector‐borne diseases epidemiological processes of interest, and therefore, whether resources should be devoted to collecting such data. The document also summarises what measures of abundance and seasonality can be collected for each vector group (mosquitoes, sandflies, midges and ticks), ...

Sandoz Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Losartan Potassium Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 100mg/25mg to the consumer level. This product is being recalled due to the trace amount of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) contained in the API Losartan, USP manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Sandoz Inc. Losartan Potassium Hydrochlorothiazide product is manufactured by Lek Pharmaceuticals dd, Ljubljana, Slovenia. This impurity, which is a substance that occurs naturally in ...

Plant protection products containing metam-sodium are used in market gardening and horticulture to disinfect the soil. Following the substance's approval at European level, ANSES reassessed the dossiers and notified the industrial companies concerned of its intention to withdraw all marketing authorisations for metam-sodium products. ANSES is also taking this opportunity to reiterate the importance of phytopharmacovigilance and the requirement for professionals to report any adverse effects on humans or ...

Published on: Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The food enzyme endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) is produced with the genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain LMG S‐24584 by Puratos N. V. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The Panel noted that, although the production strain was not detected in the food enzyme, recombinant DNA was present in all batches of the food enzyme tested. The food enzyme is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum use levels re...

Published on: Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The food enzyme glucan 1,4‐α‐glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.3) is produced with the genetically modified Aspergillus niger strain NZYM‐BW by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. The glucan 1,4‐α‐glucosidase food enzyme is intended to be used in distilled alcohol production and starch processing for the production of glucose syrups. Residu...

Published on: Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The food enzyme glucoamylase (glucan 1,4‐α‐glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.3) is produced with the genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This glucoamylase is intended to be used in brewing processes and in starch processing for glucose syrups production. Residual amounts of total organic s...

Published on: Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The food enzyme alpha‐amylase (4‐α‐d‐glucan glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) is produced with the genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This α‐amylase is intended to be used in starch processing for glucose syrups production, beverage alcohol (distilling) processes and baking proces...

ScieGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is voluntarily recalling listed lots, within expiry, of Irbesartan Tablets, USP 75 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg dosage forms to the consumer level. These products are being recalled due to the presence of an impurity,
N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) contained in the API Irbesartan, USP manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Limited. This impurity, which is a substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes, has been classified as a...

Aurobindo Pharma Limited is voluntarily recalling 22 Batches of the drug substance Irbesartan
due to the presence of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). The impurity, which is a
substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial
processes, has been classified as a probable human carcinogen as per International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC).

Published on: Thu, 25 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
A multi-country outbreak of 12 listeriosis cases caused by Listeria monocytogenes sequence type (ST) 8 has been identified through whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis in three EU/EEA countries: Denmark (6 cases), Germany (5) and France (1). Four of these cases have died due to or with the disease. It is likely that the extent of this outbreak has been underestimated since the outbreak was identified through sequencing and only a subset of the EU/EEA count...

Published on: Thu, 25 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The product subject of this assessment is l‐threonine produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain of Escherichia coli (CGMCC 7.232). It is intended to be used in feed and water for drinking for all animal species and categories. The production strain and its recombinant DNA were not detected in the additive. The product l‐threonine, manufactured by fermentation with E. coli CGMCC 7.232, does not raise any safety concern with regard to the gen...

Published on: Fri, 19 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
EFSA was requested to deliver a scientific opinion on the implications for human health of the flavouring substance 2‐(4‐methylphenoxy)‐N‐(1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐N‐(thiophen‐2‐ylmethyl)acetamide [FL‐no: 16.133], in the Flavouring Group Evaluation 411 (FGE.411), according to Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The substance has not been reported to occur in natural source materials of botanical or animal origin. It is intende...

Published on: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
Based on the “Human in vitro dermal absorption datasets” published as supporting information to the revised EFSA Guidance on Dermal Absorption, in silico models for prediction of absorption across the skin have been evaluated. For this evaluation, a systematic literature search and review was performed, identifying 288 publications describing mathematical models for prediction of dermal absorption. Eleven models potentially relevant to the regulatory assessm...

Published on: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Stagonosporopsis andigena, the causal agent of black blight of potato, for the EU. The pest is a well‐defined fungal species and reliable methods exist for its detection and identification. S. andigena is present in Bolivia and Peru. The pest is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IAI of Directive 2000/29/EC as Phoma andina, meaning its introduction into the EU is prohibited. The ma...

Published on: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the fungus Thecaphora solani, the causal agent of smut of potato, for the EU. The identity of the pest is well established and reliable methods exist for its detection and identification. T. solaniis present in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. The pathogen is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IAI of Directive 2000/29/EC, meaning its introducti...

Published on: Mon, 15 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
A rapid qualitative assessment has been done by performing a theoretical analysis on the transmission of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) via fresh meat from poultry reared or kept in captivity for the production of meat (raw poultry meat) or raw table eggs. A predetermined transmission pathway followed a number of steps from a commercial or non‐commercial poultry establishment within the EU exposed to LPAI virus (LPAIV) to the onward virus transmission...

Published on: Mon, 15 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Melampsora farlowii, a well‐defined and distinguishable fungus of the family Melampsoraceae. M. farlowii is the causal agent of a leaf and twig rust of hemlocks (Tsuga spp.) in eastern North America. The pathogen is regulated in Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IAI) as a harmful organism whose introduction into the EU is banned. M. farlowii ...

Eight and Company LLC, d/b/a Sprayology is voluntarily recalling all lots within expiry from 10/18-7/22 of its aqueous-based homeopathic product line for human use. All products manufactured by the contract manufacturer, King Bio, have been recalled due to possible microbial contamination.

Published on: Mon, 08 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessment carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State, Czech Republic, for the pesticide active substance flumioxazin are reported. The European Commission requested EFSA to conduct a peer review and provide its conclusions on whether exposure of humans to flumioxazin can be considered negligible, taking into account the European Commission's draft guidance on th...

Silver Star Brands, Inc., is initiating a voluntary recall of six products for humans (including four Native Remedies® and two Healthful Naturals™) and two PetAlive® products for pets for a total of eight products with lot numbers, see table below, to the consumer level. The products have been tested and found to contain microbial contamination.

Published on: Thu, 27 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200
Between 16 May and 15 August 2018, three highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) outbreaks in poultry establishments and three HPAI A(H5N6) outbreaks in wild birds were reported in Europe. Three low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) outbreaks were reported in three Member States. Few HPAI and LPAI bird cases have been detected in this period of the year, in accordance with the seasonal expected pattern of LPAI and HPAI. There is no evidence to date ...

Published on: Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The GMO Panel has previously assessed genetically modified (GM) carnation FLO‐40689‐6 and concluded that there is no scientific reason to consider that the import, distribution and retailing in the EU of carnation FLO‐40689‐6 cut flowers for ornamental use will cause any adverse effects on human health or the environment. On 27 October 2017, the European Commission requested EFSA to analyse new nucleic acid sequencing data and updated bioinformatics data for...

Published on: Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The GMO Panel has previously assessed genetically modified (GM) soybean BPS‐CV127‐9. This soybean was found to be as safe and nutritious as its conventional counterpart and commercial soybean varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment in the context of its intended uses. On 16 February 2018, European Commission requested EFSA to analyse new nucleic acid sequencing data and updated bioinformatics data for GM soy...

The objective of this document is to review available information on the use of aminopenicillins and their beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations in veterinary medicines in the EU, their effect on the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the potential impact of resistance on human and animal health. The document provides information for the risk profiling, as recommended by the Antimicrobial Advice ad hoc Expert Group (AMEG) of the EMA.

This Healthcare Professionals' Working Party (HCPWP) plenary meeting will include discussions on advances in clinical practice and the scientific and regulatory challenges. Members will also be invited to present how they are including regulatory sciences in fellowships and young researchers’ training. Feedback will be given from the representatives of the Scientific Committees.